Keep Your Kitchen Knives Sharp When You Move. Here's How

When you're moving, big or fragile items tend to get the most attention since they require more effort to pack up and move. In your kitchen, this means large, heavy appliances like microwaves or stand mixers, for example, and fragile items like plates, glasses and mugs. Most utensils don't need much attention when packing because -- unless it's the family silver -- they're usually designed to take some abuse. Kitchen knives, however, are a different story. 

A sharp chef's knife is an invaluable kitchen tool and, depending on the brand you buy, it can be an expensive one, too. When you make your move to a new home, you want to keep those chef's knives in tip-top shape as you pack them away or you'll run the risk of dulling them in transit. Dull knives are not only less functional but also more dangerous to use. This is because they require a stronger force to chop and cut ingredients, which can increase the risk of slippage, as the University of Rochester Medical Center explains.

Here's how you should be wrapping and packing your kitchen knives to keep them free of nicks and as sharp as ever.

For more moving tips, check out how to make some extra cash selling unwanted items before you move and tips and tricks for first-time movers. 

Gather tools for packing your kitchen knives

First, collect the supplies you need to pack your knives safely:

• Newspaper or packing paper
• Tape
• A marker or pen for labeling

Group your knives by type before packing

Set aside the time to do this right. Don't throw your steak knives, butcher's knives and chef's knives all together in one wrap. First, group knives by size and type to make them easier to wrap. This will also help take some guesswork out of the process when you're unpacking things.

How to wrap your knives to prevent damage

Here's how to wrap your kitchen knives so they won't get damaged during a move.

Place two or three sheets of packing paper on a flat surface. Place one knife on an angle near the corner of the sheet. There should be enough room between the corner of the sheet and your knife for proper wrapping.

Begin by rolling the sheet from the corner and wrapping the first knife fully. Once the first knife is covered, place the second knife next to it, with the blade pointing in the opposite direction from the first. Repeat until the sheet is completely rolled up, then secure it with tape. Label the wrapped paper so that anyone unpacking the knives knows to be careful and can quickly find the type of knife they're searching for.

For additional cushioning, you can cover the whole package with bubble wrap.

After your knives have been wrapped, place them in a moving box.

Alternately, you can wrap your entire knife block

If you keep your knives in a wooden storage block and don't want to take the time to wrap each knife in paper, there's an easier packing method. Just wrap the whole knife block with shrink-wrap and you're done. It doesn't get much easier than that.

This method won't protect your knives as well as wrapping them individually would; one big knock against knife blocks is that the wooden slats can dull knife blades. But it is convenient. Once you remove the shrink-wrap, your knives are all unpacked and ready to go.

For more moving tips, learn about the best moving companies of 2024 and where to find free cardboard boxes for your move.